Color coding system for golf clubs

ABSTRACT

A color coding system for golf clubs including a top hand outline disposed on a grip portion of a golf club. The top hand outline indicates a proper positioning for a top hand on the grip portion. The top hand outline is in a first color. A bottom hand outline is disposed on the grip portion. The bottom hand outline indicates a proper positioning for a bottom hand on the grip portion. The bottom hand outline is in a second color which contrasts from the first color.

CROSS REFERENCES AND RELATED SUBJECT MATTER

[0001] This application relates to subject matter contained in patent application Ser. No. 09/407,406, filed in the United States Patent office on Sep. 28, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a color coding system for golf clubs and more particularly pertains to teaching proper positioning of hands on a golf club.

[0003] To assure proper stroking of a golf club, it is essential that the golf club grip enables firm retention of the club in the user's hand and that the hands be properly positioned on the grip. For a right-handed golfer, the fingers of the left hand are used to control the golf club during the swing, the fingers of such hand firmly gripping the club grip in a manner which avoids any slipping. The right hand is placed over the left hand and grips the lower portion of the golf grip. Typical golf club grips can be provided with certain alignment patterns for the proper positioning of the golfer's hands. However, these patterns do not indicate, with clarity, the proper positioning for both hands to ensure proper usage of a club. What is needed is a golf grip with a pattern clearly disposed thereon which will show the proper positioning for the golfer's hands to properly swing the golf club.

[0004] The present invention attempts to solve the abovementioned problem by providing a grip for a golf club that has color coded markings to indicate the proper positioning of the golfer's hands.

[0005] The use of golf clubs is known in the prior art. More specifically, golf clubs heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of playing the game of golf are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

[0006] By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,303 to Swissheim discloses a golf club grip with diamond shaped markers to aid in proper gripping the club. U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,152 to Marquardt discloses a golf club grip with alignment marks for assisting the user with his finger and hand placement. U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,151 to Adams discloses a golf club with an alignment system comprised of a number of marks to allow the golfer to align the club prior to taking a shot.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,376 to Cummings et al. discloses a golf club grip with first indicia to indicate where the thumbs and fingers of a player are to be located and other indicia to indicate other areas. However, Cummings et al. fail to show contrasting colors for effectively showing a golfer where each hand should be placed. Further, the arrangement of indicia on Cummings is confusing, especially to the fledgling golfer.

[0008] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a color coding system for golf clubs for teaching proper positioning of hands on a golf club.

[0009] In this respect, the color coding system for golf clubs according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of teaching proper positioning of hands on a golf club.

[0010] Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved color coding system for golf clubs which can be used for teaching proper positioning of hands on a golf club. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of golf clubs now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved color coding system for golf clubs. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved color coding system for golf clubs and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

[0012] To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a golf club having a head portion with an elongated shaft extending upwardly therefrom. A free end of the elongated shaft has a grip portion disposed thereon. A top hand outline is disposed on the grip portion. The top hand outline indicates a proper positioning for a top hand on the grip portion. The top hand outline is in a first color. A bottom hand outline is disposed on the grip portion. The bottom hand outline indicates a proper positioning for a bottom hand on the grip portion. The bottom hand outline is in a second color which contrasts from the first color.

[0013] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0014] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0015] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved color coding system for golf clubs which has all the advantages of the prior art golf clubs and none of the disadvantages.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved color coding system for golf clubs which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved color coding system for golf clubs which is of durable and reliable construction.

[0019] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved color coding system for golf clubs which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a color coding system for golf clubs economically available to the buying public.

[0020] Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved color coding system for golf clubs for teaching proper positioning of hands on a golf club.

[0021] Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved color coding system for golf clubs including a top hand outline disposed on a grip portion of a golf club. The top hand outline indicates a proper positioning for a top hand on the grip portion. The top hand outline is in a first color. A bottom hand outline is disposed on the grip portion. The bottom hand outline indicates a proper positioning for a bottom hand on the grip portion. The bottom hand outline is in a second color.

[0022] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the color coding system for golf clubs constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the present invention as taken from circle 2 of FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the handle portion for a right-handed golfer illustrated with hands of the golfer positioned thereon.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the handle portion of the present invention for a left-handed golfer.

[0028] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved color coding system for golf clubs embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

[0030] Specifically, it will be noted in the various Figures that the device relates to a color coding system for golf clubs for teaching proper positioning of hands on a golf club. In its broadest context, the device consists of a golf club, a top hand outline, and a bottom hand outline. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

[0031] The golf club 12 has a head portion 14 with an elongated shaft 16 extending downwardly therefrom. A free end of the elongated shaft 16 has a grip portion 18 disposed thereon.

[0032] The top hand outline 20 is disposed on the grip portion 18. The top hand outline 20 indicates a proper positioning for a top hand 22 on the grip portion 18. The top hand outline 20 most prominently indicates a “thumb” with a thumb outline, pointing directly down the grip portion. The top hand outline is in a first color. The top hand outline 20 indicates proper positioning of a thumb of the top hand 22 of the user. Note FIG. 3.

[0033] The bottom hand outline 24 is disposed on the grip portion 18. The bottom hand outline 24 indicates a proper positioning for a bottom hand 26 on the grip portion. The bottom hand outline 24 is in a second color. The second color contrasts from the first color, and thus is easily distinguishable from the first color of the top hand outline 20. Preferably, gold and silver are used for the first color and second color, respectively. The bottom hand outline 24 indicates proper positioning of a thumb and index finger of the bottom hand 26 of the user. Thus, the bottom hand outline 24 include two adjoining sections for the positioning of the thumb and index finger, which meet at an apex, the apex being at the thumb outline of the top hand outline 20.

[0034]FIG. 3 illustrates the positioning of the top hand outline 20 and the bottom hand outline 24 for a right-handed golfer.

[0035]FIG. 4 illustrates the positioning of the top hand outline 20 and the bottom hand outline 24 for a left-handed golfer.

[0036] As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0037] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0038] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modification and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modification and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the united states is as follows:
 1. A color coding system for golf clubs for teaching proper positioning of hands on a golf club comprising, in combination: a golf club having a head portion with an elongated shaft extending upwardly therefrom, a free end of the elongated shaft having a grip portion disposed thereon; a top hand outline disposed on the grip portion, the top hand outline indicating a proper positioning for a top hand on the grip portion, the top hand outline including a thumb outline which points down the grip portion toward the elongated shaft, the top hand outline being in a first color; a bottom hand outline disposed on the grip portion, the bottom hand outline indicating a proper positioning for a bottom hand on the grip portion, the bottom hand outline indicating positioning of the thumb and index finger of the bottom hand, wherein said bottom hand outline forms an apex at the thumb outline of the top hand outline, the bottom hand outline being in a second color.
 2. The color coding system for golf clubs as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first color is gold and the second color is silver.
 3. A color coding system for golf clubs for teaching proper positioning of hands on a golf club having an elongated shaft and a grip portion, comprising, in combination: a top hand outline disposed on the grip portion of the golf club, the top hand outline indicating a proper positioning for a top hand on the grip portion, the top hand outline being in a first color; a bottom hand outline disposed on the grip portion of the golf club, the bottom hand outline indicating a proper positioning for a bottom hand on the grip portion, the bottom hand outline being in a second color, the second color contrasting from the first color.
 4. The color coding system for golf clubs as set forth in claim 3, wherein the top hand outline indicates proper positioning of a thumb of the top hand of the user.
 5. The color coding system for golf clubs as set forth in claim 4, wherein the bottom hand outline indicates proper positioning of a thumb and index finger of the bottom hand of the user.
 6. The color coding system for golf clubs as set forth in claim 5, wherein the first color is gold and the sec ond color is silver. 